Friday, April 18, 2008

Virtual Sketch Date: Apple and Branches

This was a week for sketch dates! Earlier in the week, you saw the sketch date with my sons. Today you can see the virtual sketch date I had in Newfoundland - or actually, I had in Texas with my Newfoundland guest (as it was my photo :-).

it's a bit of a mark-making exercise. As we are working from the same image, the focus is more on what we put down on the paper.

it's a bit of a style exercise. We both tend towards realism, but hopefully each of our sketches says a bit about us. (One of the reasons I asked Jeanette if she wanted to do this was because she has such a lovely delicate touch - one I wish I had, I tend to go heavy-handed with everything.)

it's all just good fun! I immediately started getting dissatisfied with my sketch, but just tried to enjoy the process and not depend on the outcome. This is also where it really helped to have a partner, I wouldn't have finished without my commitment to Jeanette.

Things I learned or want to try:

I don't like the paper (Canson heavyweight/medium texture drawing paper) that I did this on, too textured.

I struggled at first handling the graphite, I've done so much CP work recently. I suppose there is a cost with switching around in mediums.

For this exercise, it was fun to do something simple, that required a bit of imagination. (The values in the photo were all midrange, so I had to be creative - which meant, of course, that I "jumped the light", but it is fun to see how much you can get away with.)

I'm very tempted to try and draw from "bad" photos, just to work in the creative angle. I think it would be good practice.

Jeanette, are you interested in doing this again? Is anyone else interested in doing a similar thing?

Thanks everyone! This was lots of fun. Jeanne, we'd love to have you join in. Robyn, as soon as you're free, we'd love to have you do it too.

Should we aim for mid-May when Jeannette is back? We can send out the photo to everyone then. How about two weeks from the photo being sent out to post a sketch? Jeanette, do you want to choose the image for the second one?

Anyone else is free to join in, just let one of us know. I'll do a post on the "start day" with the details.

Rose, I think your drawing is great! I would have never guessed that you didn't like the paper. I'm off to check out Jeanette's drawing next. If you are looking for more participants, I'd love to join in next time.

Its great to see more people wanting to join in. The more the merrier!

Yes, I can provide the reference for the next one. I have to go to Toronto and Ottawa on May 1st and will be back on May 8th, so perhaps that weekend I'll send the image out to those who want to participate.

Sounds good Jeanette. I've got a list running of people who said that they're in for May, looks like 5 so far. If anyone else is interested, just let me or Jeanette know and we'll get you on the list. It's fun and as Jeanette says, "the more the merrier."

I'm sure one of us will do a post announcing it again in May to remind people.